Ranita pursed her lips, her face slightly darkening. “I’m sorry if I’ve caused you trouble,” she said, pausing before continuing. “I can apologize to Amiya, but Shannon’s situation has nothing to do with me!”


    Kora chuckled. “No need! We live for ourselves, so don’t pay too much attention to idle talk! Women need to be strong or they’ll be bullied.”


    “Don’t think too much about it and go rest!” Kora paused before adding, “I’ll give the doll that Chris brought youst time to the children!”


    Ranita returned home and slept well that night.


    The next morning, Ranita packed up and nned a trip to Stnd.


    As she walked towards her car, a ck business car pulled up beside her with several bodyguards and Robert who looked familiar.


    Robert called out to Ranita, “Miss Bowman, Mrs. Stuart requests your presence.”


    Amiya must have had ulterior motives for inviting her over; Ranita refused, “Sorry I’m busy!”


    “Miss Bowman,” Robert said as he signaled his bodyguards who immediately surrounded Ranita.


    With so many people around her now, there was no way for Ranita escape without risking injury which would not be worth it.


    “Fine then I’ll get in the car,” she said as she climbed into the vehicle but was stopped by Robert who pressed down on her phone, “Miss Bowman, you’d better not use your phone; Mrs. Stuart will let you go home when she’s done talking with you.”


    “What if I don’t?”


    “Then don’t me us for being impolite!” Already holding a grudge against Ranita himself, Robert spoke coldly and indifferently, “We’re driving now, Miss Bowman; if you identally fall out of the car… you might get hurt!”


    Ranita felt threatened.


    But the bodyguards were watching closely!


    Ranita sat down in silence as the car headed towards Tranquil Valley Private Hospital. Robert led her directly to the VIP room where Shannon was admitted. The room was spacious, resembling a small apartment, fully equipped with appliances and attentive service.


    “Madam, Miss Bowman is here,” the attendant announced, giving Ranita a gentle push.


    Ranita frowned, gazing at Amiya and the pale, pitiful figure of Shannon lying in the hospital bed. A cold smile appeared on her lips. “Mrs. Stuart, what exactly are you up to?”


    “Ranita, kneel down for me!” Amiyamanded. With a signal to the bodyguard, someone immediately pressed down on Ranita’s shoulders, forcing her to kneel on the floor.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    There was no mercy.


    Ranita’s knees hit the ground hard, causing intense pain.


    Amiya wheeled over and grabbed her chin, staring at her with disgust. “Ranita, weren’t you arrogantst night? Now that those socialites aren’t around, it’s time to teach you a lesson!” With that, Amiya pped her across the face.


    Five distinct fingerprints emerged on Ranita’s cheek. “This p is for your disrespectst night!”


    “Snap!” Another pnded on Ranita’s other cheek. Amiya sneered, “This one is for Shannon!”


    Ranita’s head buzzed with pain. She struggled to break free, but her strength wasn’t enough. A third p struck her face. “And this one is for Brendon!”


    The fiery pain burned on Ranita’s cheeks. “Amiya, let go of me!” Her voice, muffled due to the pain, pleaded. Her knees were pinned to the floor, making her bones ache terribly.